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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a foster carer?
A foster carer is an adult over the age of 21 who looks after children on a temporary basis when their birth parents are unable to. They are trained and reviewed by supervising social workers and other professionals in their local foster agency team. A foster carer will receive a weekly fostering allowance – in effect, they are paid. Their purpose is to provide a safe and stable family environment for the foster child to thrive in. Foster carers’ homes must have a bedroom for the sole use of the foster child, and there are restrictions on work outside the home.
What are independent fostering agencies?
Independent fostering agencies work alongside local authorities to help meet the demand for foster carers in the UK and get the very best for foster children. All local authorities have their own approved foster carers and try to place children with them first. However, if they are unable to, they commission independent fostering agencies like ours. It is a strong partnership with the needs of foster children at its heart.
Who can be a foster carer?
You need to be available around the clock (or have a partner you can share this responsibility with). You will have a spare bedroom for your foster child. As a foster carer, you will be asked to be the voice for our children when they need you to be. A sense of humour is also high up there!
You don’t have to be perfect to be suitable to be a foster carer; if you have a passion to help give a child an incredible future, we will provide all the support and training you will need along the way to be the best foster carer you can be.
How much is the foster care allowance?
Foster parents are paid, on average, £24,500 per annum. They usually pay none (or hardly any) tax on their foster care allowance (fostering allowance) due to Qualifying Care Relief, making this the salary equivalent of £30,000. An extra allowance might also be paid for children with special requirements like disabilities, or where the foster carer is especially skilled. Additionally, you might be eligible to claim Working Tax Credit.
Is foster care pay taxed?
Generally not. Income tax exemption on foster care pay is called Qualifying Care Relief and means you don’t need to pay tax on the first £10,000 your household makes in any year (the amount is less for shorter periods). Foster care pay is subject to additional tax relief of up to £250 a week for every week a child is in your care.
Do foster carers pay National Insurance?
Yes, the UK government requires that foster carers pay self-employed National Insurance contributions. You must register as self-employed when you become a foster carer. If you’d like extra information or some help setting up, call the Newly Self-Employed Hotline on 0300 200 3504. You can call them from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, or 8am to 4pm on Saturdays.
Can you be a foster carer if you work full time?
This is so that, in your role of foster carer, you can fully accommodate the needs of the child, including meetings with your local support team or school, training sessions and other times that might need your full attention.
